Device for gauging and sorting articles



July 1, 1952 T. A; JAGEN DEVICE FOR GAUGING AND SORTING ARTICLES 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 Filed June 30, 1948 TUJlV/TC/l 5 A1- L/IVEJ T '//vv/\/T02- THEODORE AJAGEN BY 63% H s A TTORNEY.

Patented July 1, 1952 UNITED STAT-E DEVICE FOR GAUGING AND SORTING ARTICLES Theodore A. J agen, Livingston, N. .L, assignor to General Motors Corporation, Detroit, Mich.,a

corporation of Delaware Application June30,1948, Serial No. 36,242

12 Claims. (01. 209-88) This invention relates to the gauging of articles and comprises all of the features of novelty herein disclosed. An object of the. invention is topro,- vide improved apparatus for gauging articles for length and separating articles of unacceptable length from the others. Another object is .to provideapparatus for extremely fast gauging as by the use of a pair of gauges to which the articles are successively, presented by a rapidly oscillating transfer member. Another object is to provide improved apparatus for control of. gauging as by theme of electronic switches having a control wire actuated by a very minute current which flows 'without arcing when a movable gauging finger actuated by an article of unacceptable size causes the control wire to be grounded. To these ends and also to improve generally upon devices of this character, the invention consists in the various matters hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings Fig. 1 is a front elevation, some parts which are left-handed duplicates of those at the right beingremoved. I v

Fig; 2 is a plan view partly in section, the two upper arms being broken away and some lefthanded duplicates being removed.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view of an adjustable electric contact.

Fig. 4 is a side view withthegauging arms removed. V V r h Fig. 5 is a plan view of theupper left hand arm.

Fig. 6 is a front view of a portion of the machine. i

Fig. 7 is a' rear view with the transfer arm in section. r g

Fig. 8 is an electric diagram.

Fig. 9 is a mechanical diagram in plan.

Fig. 10 is a diagram in front view.

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a body viewed froin'the rear and right.

Referring first to diagrammatic Figs. .9 and 10 for an outline of important functions and parts, elongated rollers R are fed endwise in a stream over a platform 2 and successively impinge against a stop 4. A depending rib B on a long oscillating transfer arm 8 pushes each roller laterally. the foremost roller going to one side and the next roller being pushed to the other side. As a roller is pushed sidewise in either direction. it is gauged for length between the stop surface 4 and a gauging finger on a spring; pressed pivoted arm In which carries electric contacts on each side, one contact engaging a fixed 21 a or undersize contact 12 when therollers are too short'and the other contact engaging an oversize contact I; on a spring pressed pivoted arm I4 'when the rollers are too long. In the gauging position the roller is pressed against the slanting edge of a pivoted pressure arm l6 whichlin'es up the roller for gauging; .If the. roller'i's'of acceptable 1ength,.-no electric contact is 'completed and upon the next swing of the transfer arm'to the same side, another roller isur g'ed against the gauged roller. and pushes itr laterally over the upperedgei of a closed trapdoor l8 for conduction to a rec ptacle. y

Whenever one of the elect c contacts is com pleted at either side of the platform,v a pull sole noid 20 is energized to swingthe trap dooropen thereby discharging the unacceptable undersize or oversize roller between the platform and the trap door. A single spring 22 connecting'the trap doors returns each door to closedposition when either solenoid is, de-energized. Each. of the various arms is pivoted at one end onreedsprings toeliminate lost motion The transfer arm B is swung in one direction by a solenoid Handis returned by a coil spring 26, its rapid oscillation being limited by stop screws 28.. The electrical connections have electroniccycle control as will be later described.

Referring to the 'constructionaldetails. in Figsi.

1, 2, 4, 6 and 11, the rollers to be gaugediar'e urged endwise athigh speed'througha feed tube 30 which is clamped by a screw ina square open; ing in aclamping b1ock 32, thelatter having a vertical slotted leg 34 adjustably secured by screws on the front of a skeletonized body 36'.

At the front and rear or thebody, .lugs 38 and.

screws secure it toa base plate '40. Each side of the body has a pair of lugs 42 for a pivot pin 44 on which the trap door i8 is hinged. v Each trap door is connected by a leaf spring 46 itola pin 41"on the plunger of one of the solenoids 20. The pins 41 project rearwardly beyond the body and are connected by the spring 22, Each solenoid isfastened to an angle bracket 49j on the base plate. The body 36 has a central partie tion 48 with projecting cheeks 50 having edges at an angle and the trap door is of similar angu-' lar shape to fit against those edges Whenclosed. The hardened upper edge of the door terminates on a level with the platform 2 which isfaced The platform hasa,

with hardened material; depending tongue secured in a groove of the body. The rear of the body has spaced horizontal guide ing rails 52 for a slide 54 which is adjustable lengthwise by a screw 56 journalled in a plate 58 attached to the rails 52. The slide has a depending tongue fitting between the rails and is clamped in adjusted position by a bottom plate 60 and a screw. A finger 62 projects forwardly over the platform from the slide and its forward end is hardened to form the end stop or abutment for the ends of the rollers.

As the rollers side out of the feed tube 39 towards the stop, they pass under a top guide 64 fastened to a rearwardly projecting lug on the block 32. The bottom of the guide has a V- groove enclosing the rollers. v tened to the transfer arm 8 and carries the depending rib 6 which pushes the rollers laterally. Oscillation of the arm is limited by a forward projection operating between the stop screw 28 adjustably carried at the top, of two standards 68 fastened on the front of the body 36. The transfer arm is of angular cross section made up of deep vertical plates welded to a narrow horizontal web and is hinged at its distant rear end by crossingleaf springs, two springs in extending lengthwise above and .below a singlecross spring 12. One end of each spring is secured to the arm and one end to a standard 74 on the base plate ,40. The solenoid 24 (Fig. 7) is secured to an angle bracket IS on the base and its plunger is connected by a leaf spring 18 to the transfer arm. A horizontal web on the transfer arm is tapped to receive a screw 80 connected by a coil s'pringZB to an adjusting screw 84 in a standard 86. Thus the transfer armisoscillated very rapidly through a short stroke.

The gauging arms are duplicated at each side of the machine. Fastened to the underside of each arm is a, gauging finger 8.8, with a bent gauging tip opposed to the stop finger '62 and the distance between these surfaces is the. length which is gauged. When a roller is pushed sidewise by the rib 6, it is lined up in gauging position by the inclined lower edge of a bent locating finger 90 secured to the end of a slide 92 adjustably secured to the end of the angular pressure arm I6. The vertical portion of this arm is pivoted by vertical leaf springs 94 to the outer surf-face of a bracket 96 whose base '98 is slidably adjustable on the base plate by a screw 90. The Weight of the arm I6 urges it downwardly to a limitingposition provided by an adjusting stop screw I00.

Each gauging arm and is pivoted by a leaf spring 102 to .a side face on the bracket ,98. A countersunk opening in the arm receives a-circular flanged. insert I6 1 having electric contacts on opposite sides. The arm is urged towards the fixed contact I2 by a coil spring I G6. Each undersize contact 12 and each oversize contact I3 (Fig. 3) is carried by the enlarged end I 68 of a screw II!) which is threaded in a sleeve II2 externally threaded in the split end of an arm having a clamping screw to hold the screws from turning after adjustment. The internal and external threads are of different pitch to provide a fine adjustment. The undersize contact arm H4 is rigidly fixed to the bracket 96. Extending forwardly at right angles from the arm H4 on its under side is an arm IIB provided with a pair of upright lugs Hi? and I20 between which the oversize contact arm I4 has a limited movement. A coil spring I22 housed in the lug I28 urges the arm I4 towards an adjustable stop screw I24 in the lug I I8. Each arm I4 is pivoted by a leaf spring I26 to the bracketBB.

Each bracket thus supports the four arms I9,

A plate 66 is 'fas-- I 4, l6 and H4 and its adjustment by the screw 99 moves the arms toward or from the center as to set up for different work diameters. To adjust for length, the slide 54 is moved to locate the stop finger 62 at the correct distance from the gauging finger 88 Each gauging finger has a tapering surface to guide each roller to the actual gauging surface which extends straight across and parallel with the stop surface on the stop finger 62. The roller is lined up in this gaug- 7 ing position by the inclined edge of the locating I0 is of insulating material finger 90. The difierential screw adjustment at I I2 for the fixed contact I2 and the movable contact I3 will set them with respect to the contacts on the arm I!) for the desired amount of tolerance. The contacts I2 and I3 are grounded through their supporting arms I4 and H4. The contacts on the metallic insert I04 of arm I 9 are wired'to an electronic switch.

Referring to the electrical diagram, the opera- .tion willbe described with reference to the left hand gauge and the corresponding parts controlledby it. The right hand gauge operates in the same way but a half. cycle later. The cycling timerand the two electronic switches S and .SI in the diagram are. commercial items and'are wired to alternating current mains A and B. The cycling timer has a relay whose contacts open and close at a rapid rate. The armature of this relay is connected to ground so that lines .0 and D are successively grounded as the armature oscillates between these two lines. Line C is connected .to one side of solenoid, the other side being connected to. main ,B. Thus, solenoid 24 is energized and deenergized at a rapid rate which is predetermined by the setting of the controls on the cycling timer.

The electronic switches are electronic devices which cause an internal relay to close if and when a control wire, such as lines J or P, becomes grounded by one of the gauges. The current flowing through this control wire can be very minute, say a few microamperes, and therefore there will be no arcing when this control wire touches a grounded object to-completeits circuit; This property lends itself to gauging, since even a very minute separationiless than .0001) is sufficient to break this circuit. Thus, since lines J and P are connected to the metallic inserts of their respective gauges, one of these lines will become grounded whenever an oversize or undersize roller causes the insert to engage either of the grounded contacts 12 or I3, thereby effecting closure of the relay contacts in the corresponding electronic switch.

Assume now that only rollers within acceptable limits are passing through gage No. 1. The relay of electronic switch-S is then in the open position as it is set to. be for acceptable rollers, thus making it impossible for relay 43 to operate. Assume also the very short instant that the cycling timer is in the position for grounding line D. Line C is therefore not grounded so that solenoid 2 4, relays AI and A2 and the left hand solenoid 26 will all be unenergized. During the next half cycle when the acceptable roller is to be ejected, line C becomes grounded and a circuit is completed from line C, through the normally closed contacts of relay A3, line E, the

normally closed contacts of relay AI, line F, the

coil of relay A2 and finally to line .B. Relay A2 therefore will be energized and the contacts between lines K and H will be opened. This is necessary since solenoid 24 is also energized at this instant and the transfer of the roller being gaged out of the gaging position disturbs the position of-the gaging contacts and might otherwise cause closure of the contacts in the electronic switch S. Hence the opening of the normally closed'contacts of relay A2 during ejection of rollers from the gage prevents gaging errors from being transmitted to relay A3 which controls the opening of the trap door solenoid 20 which opens only for unacceptable rollers. So; as long as only acceptable rollers pass through gage: No. 1, only relay A2 will be energized simultaneously with solenoid 24 while relays A3 and Al and solenoid 20 will remain unenergized and no trap door will open.

Next; assume that an off-limit roller, un-

dersize or oversize, has been presented to gage No. .1. The insulating gauge arm will then move-the metallic insert H14 into contact with either the contact l2 or the contact l3 both of which are grounded and, since insert N14 is connected to line 'J, a circuit will be completed through the'electronic switch S. The relay contactsin the electronic switch will thenclose as they are set to do for off-limit rollers but this will not immediately'affect the rest of the circuit since relay A2 remains energized for the short interval that line Cremains grounded. As the contacts in the cycling timer relay transfer the ground circuit from line C to line D, solenoid 24 and relay A2 will be deenergized. When the off-limit-roller has thus caused the relay contacts of the electronic switch to connect line A to line K, a circuit is completed through line H and the coil of relay A3 to main line B. Energizing of relay A3 connects line C to line G and, when line C is grounded on the next half cycle, the trap door solenoid 20 is energized simultaneously with the solenoid 24 which ejects the roller. At the "same time, relay Al is energized and a holding circuit therefor is completed through lines M and N and the lower ofthe two contacts thereby transferring control of relay Al and solenoid 20 directly to the contacts of the cycling timer independently of relay A3. The upper contact of relay Al opens the coil circuit of relay A2 to prevent it from being energized duringthis half cycle of the timer. Both contacts are used to prevent relay Al and the solenoid. 20 from being deenergized and to prevent relay A2 from being energized during transfer of the off-limit roller out of the gauging position, especially since the following roller may be 0. K., whereupon the contacts of the electronic switch S would open.

During the following half-cycle of the timer, the circuit from the ground to line C will be broken and solenoids 24 and 20 as well as relay AI will be deenergized. Relay A3 will remain energized through the electronic switch if an off-limit roller is between the gage contacts or will be deenergized if the roller is 0'. K.

The circuit for gage No. 2 is similarly connected to the mains and to the cycling timer and acts the same as for gage No. 1 except that operation ofthe relays and solenoids will occur during the following half-cycle of the 'timer which grounds the lines C and D in rapid succession.

Summarizing the timing of important events many of which occur simultaneously and starting with the relay of the electronic switch S open, as it is set to be for acceptable rollers, and with line C about to be grounded by the cycling timer:

1. Line C is grounded. Solenoid 24 and relay A2 are energized. If gauged roller is of accept- -able length no door opens and the roller is ejected 'over it.

1A. If the roller is off limits. Gauge arm l0 engages contact l2 or 13 energizing'electronic :jswitch S and closing its relay. 2. Line D is next grounded to disconnect line C, deenergizing solenoid 24 and the relayA2, lines -K and H thereby being connected and relay "A "being energized to connect C to lineG.

3. Line C isnext grounded, solenods '24 and 20 thereby being energized along with relay Al while relay A2 is deenergized. The door opens and the roller passes under it; I

4. Line C is next broken. Solenoids 24 and .20 and relay AI are deenergized.

5. Relay A3 remains energized through the 'g electronic switch if the next roller is off limits 'but it is deenergized if the next roller is of :ac-

*Zceptable length because. the relay of S opens.

I claim: 1. In a gauging machine, a worksupporting platform, a stop surface rising therefrom, means "for directing elongated articles endwise in succesjsive engagement with the platform and 'into end 'agcontact with the stop surface, a movable door at f'the side of the platform, a gauging finger movf-able towards or from the stop surface in accordance with the length of an article there- ;between, gauging finger controlled mechanism {to select the position of the door, a transfer member movable laterally over the platform to laterally pusha first article between the stop ;surface and the gauging finger, and means for ioscillating the transfer member to cause a sub- 's'equent article to engage the first and discharge it at the selected sideof the door. 2. In a. gauging machine,-a work-supporting platform, a stop surface rising therefrom,'a movable door opening against the side of the platform, a gauging finger movable towardsand from the stop surface in accordance with the length of an article end-engaged therebetween, gauging finger regulated mechanism to select the position of the door, and means for moving {articles laterally between the stop surface and the gauging finger to discharged positions on selected sides of the door.

In a gauging machine, a work supporting :platform, a stop surface rising therefrom,- a gauging finger movable towards or from the stop i'surface in. accordance with the lengthofan {article therebetween, a. yieldable locating finger overlying the platform to line up each article for gauging, a transfer member overlying the platform, and mechanism'laterally oscillating the transfer member to push articles laterally against the locating finger and thereafter dischargethe articles in the same lateral direction' beneath and past the locating finger and into a-selected path determined by-the gauging finger. 4. In a gauging machine, a work supporting platform, a stopsurface rising therefrom, means for directing articles endwise over theplatform into contact with the stop surface, a gauging finger and a locating finger near one side of the platform, a transfer member extending down wardly and closely overlying the platform in front of the stop surface. means for oscillating the transfer member to push articles laterally against the locating finger, and adjustable mechfanism for limiting the movement of the trans- *'f' er member in the direction of the locating "finger.

' 5. In a gauging machine, a work supporting platform, a stop surface rising therefrom, means -7 for directing articles endwise insuccession against the platform into end contact with the stop surface-a gauging finger at each side of the platform, each gauging finger being movable towards or from the stop surfaceinto engagement with another end of said article in accordance'with the length of the-article, therebetween, a transfer member overlying the platform between the gauging'fingers and movable across the path of articles approaching the stop surface, means for laterally oscillating the transfer member to push articles laterally to the gauging fingers in succession, and means for causing successive lateral movements of the transfer member in a given direction to push a subsequent article against avgauged article to discharge the latter in a path selected byits gauging finger.

6. In a gauging machine, a work supporting platform, a movable gauging finger above and near each side of the platform andspaced from and inopposed relation to a fixed gauging sur face, a movable door at each side of the platform, a laterally oscillatable member for pushing articles laterally in each direction from a central position on the platform to a gauging position and laterally beyond, and means controlled by each gauging finger for moving the adjacent door to deflectan article whenan article of .a

specified dimension passes the gauging position.

7. In a gauging machine, a, cycling timer, an electronic switch connected to the timer and having a relay set to close when gauged articles are of unacceptable dimensions,- a gauging device controlling the electronic switch and controlling the relay, means for presenting articles to the gauging device, a door, a transfer member for discharging articles from the gauging device to the door, and a circuit control-led by the-relay to operate the door and separate articlesof unacceptable dimensions from the others. g

8. In a gauging machine, ,a work supporting platform, a gauging lever of-insulating material projecting over the platform to measure an article thereon, electric contacts carried by the lever, an electronic switch connected to the lever contacts, grounded contacts spaced from the lever platform, a stop surface rising therefrom, mechanism for directing elongatedarticles endwise in successiveiengagement with the platform and into end contact with the stop surface, amovable door at the side of the platform, a gauging finger movable towards and from the stop surface in accordance with thelength of the article therebetween, gauging finger controlled mechanism to select the position of the door, a movable transfer member overlying the platform, and mechanisin for laterally oscillating the transfer member to position articles laterally in end engagement with said stop surface and into end engagement with the gauging member and to discharge them at the sideof the door. selected by themovsurfacefengageable with an end of one of said articles'to gauge its length while it islocated on the platform, gauging finger responsive "mechanism controlling the position of the door, a laterally oscillatable transfer member overlying the platform, mechanism for moving the transfer member to push a first article laterally against said locatingfinger to line up the article in end engagement with the stop surface and with the gauging finger, and mechanism'causing the transfor member to move a subsequent article against the gauged article'to discharg'ethe gauged article on a selected side'of said door.

-l2."In a gauging machine, a'work'supporting platform, a stop surface rising therefrom, mechanism-for directingeiongated article's endwise in succession along the platform into endcontact with the stop'surface, a gauging finger engageable'with the opposite end of the article from contacts whenan article measured by the-gaug- I ing lever is of acceptable dimensions, an article deflecting door at one side of the platform and c normally'urged towards theplatform, a solenoid connectedto the door, a circuit controlled by the electronic, switch when one of the lever contacts engages one of thegroundedoontacts to operate the solenoid and retractthe door, and means for discharging the, measured article in the path selected by the door. I

9. In a gauging machine, -means for moving articles to a movable gauging position, a gauging lever of insulating material having a pair of electric contacts, an electronic switch connected ato said contacts, grounded contacts arranged to be engaged by the lever contacts when articles are of unacceptable size, means for discharging articles from gauging position, andacircuit controlled by the electronic switch when one of the lever contactsengages one of the grounded contacts to determine the path of article discharge. 10. In a, gauging machine, a work supporting that engaging said stop surface and movable towards and from the stop surface in accordance with the length of the articlebeing gauged, a

transfer member overlying the platform and 1a erallymovableacross the path of thearticles approaching the stop surface, and mechanism laterally oscillating the transfer member to push articles laterally into a longitudinal position between the. stop surface and the gauging finger.

' 'rHEoDoRE-A. JAGEN.

REFERENCES QHE r The following. references are of recordilin the file of this patent:

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